Tensions have recently surfaced in Gibraltar after cruise ships sailed close to a nuclear submarine surfacing near the busy gateway to the Mediterranean port.
As Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure, carrying around 1,000 passengers on a 22-night voyage, approached Gibraltar, and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex, with approximately 2,910 passengers onboard for a 13-night cruise to Palma de Mallorca, environmental activists raised immediate concerns.
“Verdemar-Ecologists in Action cautions cruise ships, including Celebrity Apex bound for Palma de Mallorca and Spirit of Adventure heading towards Southampton, that they risked proximity to a nuclear submarine,” the organisation warned in a statement.
Passengers aboard both ships were largely unaware that HMS Astute, a nuclear-powered submarine from the UK’s Royal Navy, had docked at Gibraltar’s military facility on 15 March 2025, just three days before Spirit of Adventure arrived.
Environmental Concerns Surrounding Nuclear Submarines
HMS Astute, recognised globally as one of the most advanced submarines, emits low-level radiation, typical for nuclear-powered vessels, raising alarm among environmentalists.
The activist group emphasised that military vessels should avoid docking in tourist-heavy ports like Gibraltar, which hosts nearly 300 cruise ship visits annually.
“Gibraltar must decide clearly between being a military or tourist hub,” Verdemar-Ecologists in Action stated. “Docking HMS Astute, a UK nuclear-powered submarine, poses unnecessary risks to local tourism.”
Previous Incidents and Protests
This is not the first controversy involving submarines in Gibraltar. HMS Astute’s prior visit on 6 February 2025 similarly sparked protests, with activists describing it as a “floating bomb.” Almost a decade ago, another Royal Navy submarine, HMS Ambush, collided with a merchant ship near Gibraltar, forcing emergency docking for repairs.
Neither cruise line nor Royal Navy officials have commented on the recent docking.
Cruise Passengers Continue Journeys
Despite the controversy, passengers from Spirit of Adventure enjoyed their scheduled nine-hour stopover in Gibraltar without disruption before continuing towards Portsmouth, where they are expected to arrive on 22 March 2025.
Celebrity Apex passengers spent their planned day ashore in Palma de Mallorca on 20 March, approximately 475 nautical miles from Gibraltar.
Navigating Shared Waters
International waters, generally extending about 12 nautical miles from coastlines, are open for all maritime traffic. Submarines, like other vessels, must surface upon entering territorial waters and typically notify local authorities of their presence, particularly in busy maritime regions.
Military submarines routinely dock at bases for resupply, maintenance, and essential repairs. Gibraltar, a UK territory, provides such services to the Royal Navy.
Other major cruise destinations near military submarine operations include Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, San Diego in California, Sydney in Australia, Portsmouth in England, and Kiel in Germany. Cruise passengers in these locations often capture images of submarines without concern.
Safety Assurances Amid Concerns
Despite global environmental concerns, military authorities maintain that nuclear submarines feature extensive shielding for reactors, minimising radiation emissions and keeping them within internationally accepted safety standards. Studies conducted around naval bases hosting nuclear submarines consistently confirm radiation levels remain negligible and safe.
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